Fluid energy converter

ABSTRACT

A fluid energy converter includes: a rotatable U-shaped rim rack having a raised along-edge wall forming a rail, a rotatable cylindrical frame and a plurality of vertical rectangular blades uniformly distributed and rotatably mounted in the frame. Each blade includes rollers alternately sliding in the recessed rail. The U-shape of the rim rack forms a hollow chamber in which a portion of the frame is received. The blades mounted in the frame are allowed to revolve about an arbor of the frame and at the same time, with the rollers being guided by the rail of the rim rack, the blades spin about their own axes. Instead of mechanical control, the rail formed in the rim rack is defined by a curve that has unique mathematic characteristics to set each blade to an optimum angle for receiving wind power so as to reduce resistance and better action of force thereon.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a fluid energy converter thatutilizes fluid flow to generate rotational kinetic energy and uses therotational kinetic energy to cause movement of fluid for flowing in aspecific direction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

An early vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) was first patented by C. handin 1846, of which the patent bearing a title of “Water wheel” was issuedU.S. Pat. No. 4,517 on May 16, 1846. This invention provides blades thathave one end coupled to an axle and an opposite end that is changeablein position for changing the angle of the blades in order to reduceresistance.

In the design of the above discussed water wheel, the axle is coupled tomultiple pairs of arms that extend radially. Each pair of arms carries ablade at ends thereof with the blade being pivotable. When the bladethat takes a force is rotated about the axle by 180 degrees, the bladeitself rotates by 90 degrees in order to reduce the resistance. Duringthe rotation of the blade about the axle, the blade is also allowed torotate about its own axis, whereby various angles may be dynamicallyformed between the blades and the fluid flow in order to reduceresistance and provide improved action of force.

This type of arrangement that the blades are rotating about their ownaxes when rotated about a primary axle was known as early as theteaching given in a U.S. patent issued to C. R. Gutting on 1906, ofwhich the title is “Wind Wheel” (U.S. Pat. No. 809,431 issued on Jan. 9,1906). With the arrangement of a complicated mechanism, when blades arerotated about a central shaft, the blades also rotate about their ownaxes, whereby various angles are dynamically formed between the bladesand wind to reduce the resistance and improve action of force.

In 1907, C. F. Whisler was issued a U.S. patent, called “Wind Wheel”(U.S. Pat. No. 862,299 issued on Aug. 6, 1907). This is also aninvention of the above discussed type, and this invention uses sprocketwheels and a chain to cause blades to rotate about their own axes whenthe blades are rotated about a central shaft, whereby the same resultcan be obtained.

What is concerned in the present invention is how to make bladesrotating about their own axes when the blades are rotated about acentral shaft in order to reduce resistance and improve action of force.Many inventors proposed different solutions to address such an issue.Some of the recent prior art references are listed as follows:

In 2010, Eldon L. Stroburg was issued a U.S. patent, called “Windmillwith Pivoting Blades” (U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,602 issued on Aug. 3, 2010).This invention utilizes a gear train to cause blades to rotate abouttheir own axes when the blades are rotated about a central axis in orderto dynamically set the angles between the blades and wind. The sameresult can be obtained.

In 2008, a Taiwan Patent Application disclosed a blade set of verticalwind power generator and a method for coupling variable winding for windpower generator (Taiwan Patent Publication No. 2008339453 published onAug. 16, 2008). The legal status of the application is publication andteaches use of adjustable link bars to cause blades to rotate abouttheir own axes when the blades are rotated about a central axis. Again,the same result can be obtained.

In 2010, a US Patent Application, called “Wind and Water Turbine” andowned by Lester Hostetler, was published (US Publication No.2010/0060008 A1 published on Mar. 11, 2010). The legal status of thisapplication is publication. When blades are rotated about a centralshaft, an elliptic channel is set up inside a circular channel alongwhich the blades rotate about the central shaft. A mechanism switch isprovided outside the channel, whereby the mechanical switch forcesrollers of the blades to alternately enter the channel. The ellipticchannel inside the circular channel along which the blades rotate aboutthe central shaft causes the blades to rotate about their own axes so asto dynamically set various angles between the blades and wind andprovide the same result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a fluid energyconverter that reduces resistance and generates improved result of forceaction.

To achieve the objective, the solution adopted in the present inventionis as follows:

A fluid energy converter comprises a rotatable rim-like rack, or simplyrim rack hereinafter, having a U-shaped cross-section and having araised along-edge wall having an end surface that is recessed to form achannel serving as a rail; and a rotatable frame that carries aplurality of blades each of which is mounted to the frame in a rotatablemanner and each having an upper edge having opposite ends to whichrollers are mounted for sliding in the rail channel of the rim rack.Flow energy of a fluid may be employed to cause motion of the blades andthe motion of the blades drives the frame to rotate thereby generatingkinetic energy. Oppositely, rotational kinetic energy of the frame canbe used to cause motion of the blades and the motion of the bladescauses a fluid to move. The rail channel of the wheel rim guides themovement of the blades, making the movement of the blades showing thegreatest efficiency.

The rotational motions of the frame and the wheel rim have a commonrotation center, which, for easy description herein, will be referred toas “revolution axis”. Each blade has a center line that serves as arotation center of the spinning of the blade about its own axis and willbe referred to as “spin axis” herein. It is noted here that all therotating interfaces found in the present invention are supported bybearings in order to reduce the frictional force.

The rotatable frame comprises multiple pairs of support arms, and thetwo support arms of each are arranged, in a symmetrical manner, at upperand lower sides of the frame. The distal ends of the support arms ofeach pair support therebetween a rotatable blade, which has shouldersand feet to which rollers are respectively mounted in such a way that,when the blade spins, the blade rollers are slidable in a rail channeldefined in a raised portion of the wheel rim. The frame has an arborhaving outward projecting portions to serve as an interface for exchangebetween rotational energy of the frame and an external energy source.

The U-shaped rim-like rack is arranged above the rotatable frame andboth are individually rotatable about the revolution axis. The raisedalong-edge portion of the rim rack exceeds the thickness of the uppersupport arms and this is a hollow chamber formed in the rim rack foraccommodating the upper support arms of the frame. The raised along-edgeportion of the rim rack forms a recessed rail channel. The rail channelhas a depth that is sufficient to the rollers mounted to the shouldersof the blade. When the rollers are moved in the recessed rail channel,the blades are caused to spin. Thus, when the blades revolute about therevolution axis, the rollers mounted to the shoulders thereof aresliding in the rail and are guided by the rail to cause spinning of theblades, thereby changing the directions of the blades.

The recessed rail channel that is formed in the rim rack has an openingfor receiving the entry of the rollers. The rail channel defines a curveof trace or locus that is of a special curve. Such a curve is similar toa tip of a cardioid of a polar coordinate system and no rail segment isarranged at and close to the tip to thereby serve as an entry openingfor the rollers during the rotation of the blades. The curve of the railchannel adopted in the present invention is special mathematiccharacteristics, wherein at least one of the two rollers on theshoulders of each blade must be always kept on the recessed rail channeland the outer one of the rollers on the shoulders of the blade is alwayskept on the rail channel. When the blade rotates, the two rollersalternately enter the recessed rail, and at the moment when the tworollers interchangeably enter the rail, the two rollers aresimultaneously on the recessed rail channel.

The blades revolute about the revolution axis with the frame and therollers of the blade are guided by the rail to cause spinning of theblades. When the blades revolute by one full turn about the revolutionaxis, the blades also make a half turn of spinning. Revolution of 180degrees makes spinning of 90 degrees and revolution of 90 degrees makesspinning of 45 degrees.

The curve of the rail channel is a symmetric smooth curve having an axisof symmetry When fluid enters in a direction perpendicular to the axisof symmetry, the fluid drives the blades to cause rotation of the frame.Being guided by the rail, the included angle of each blade and the fluidvaries to provide the best result of force action for the frame.

The rim rack has a surface on which a direction mark is made toperpendicular to the symmetry axis of the rail channel and will bereferred to as “flow direction mark” for easy description. When the flowdirection mark of the rim rack is consistent with the inflow directionof fluid, the action of force applied to the frame by the fluid is thebest for the rotational motion of the frame.

To receive the energy of the fluid, air rudders are mounted in thedirection of the flow direction mark and the air rudders are driven bywinds to have the flow direction mark of the rim rack consistent withthe inflow direction of the fluid. Under this condition, the power ofthe fluid is the best for driving the rotational motion of the frame.Oppositely, to use the rotational kinetic energy to propel a fluid forflowing, the flow direction mark of the rim rack is set at a fixeddirection so that the most efficient flow of the fluid in a flowingdirection can be realized.

As to the conversion of flow energy of fluid, the present inventionprovides a design that requires no mechanical gears, links, or switchesand that may drive blades to spin about their own axes so as todynamically set an angle between each blade and the direction of wind tobe a proper value. Instead, a rail formed according to dynamic geometricprinciple is adopted and the rail is located outside the circle ofrevolution motion of the blades. Also, a proper operation mechanism isprovided so that when the blades rotate about a center of the mechanism,the rail guides the blades to spin to dynamically set the blades tomaintain various included angles with respect to the direction of windor air flow, whereby the fluid energy converter according to the presentinvention may reduce resistance and better the action of force appliedthereto.

Such a design uses no chain, gear, or link to force the blades to spinand does not require mechanical switches that forcibly cause rollers ofthe blades to enter the rail. Instead, the geometry of a rail locatedoutside the circular lotus of revolution of the blades to naturallyguide the rollers of the blades to alternately enter the rail, allowingthe blades to rotate and thus take the optimum direction and realizingthe most efficient conversion of energy of fluid. In the presentinvention, the blades may have a maximum width that is close to thediameter of the frame. The number of the blades is generally notsubjected to any limitation, but is associated with the width of theblades. The material that makes the blades is selected depending on thenature of the fluid used and can be for example a plate or a sail.

Fluid used can be compressible or incompressible. The conversion offluid energy can be either receiving fluid energy and generatingrotational kinetic energy or using rotational kinetic energy to drivefluid to flow. Different accessory or ancillary mechanism may be usedfor different applications.

Some local or partial modifications may be made on the essentialmechanism of the present invention according to the nature of the fluidused and the direction of conversion and will be briefed as follows:

(1) For reception of energy of compressible fluid in small scale, airrudders may be mounted according to the direction of the flow directionmark provided on the rim rack to tract the rail on the rim rack so as todynamically set various included angle between each blade and thedirection of wind for reducing resistance and bettering action of force.

(2) For reception of energy of incompressible fluid or powerful fluid,to improve the strength of the device in order to take the powerfulfluid, the structure of the device can be made symmetric between theupper and lower sides. Upper and lower ends of the arbor of therotatable frame may be both provided with rim racks that are rotatablesimultaneously and are both provided with rail channels. Rollers arerespectively mounted to two shoulders and two feet of each of theblades. The rollers on the upper and lower sides of each blade aremovable in the rails of the upper and lower sides. Similarly, fluidenters in the direction of the flow direction mark in order to reduceresistance and better action of force.

(3) For using kinetic energy to drive fluid to flow, the mechanism thatis described above for receiving energy of incompressible or powerfulfluid is operated in a reversed way. No air rudder is provided and therim racks that comprise rails are provided and fixed with the flowdirection mark on the rim rack aligning with the direction in which thefluid is to be driven to flow. Under the guidance of the rails, theblades take a motion that is the best for driving the fluid to flow.

(4) For receiving energy of compressible fluid in a large scale, thecenter axis of the fluid energy converter is defined by a verticallyfixed hollow tower like shaft, wherein the hollow shaft provides achannel or space in which wires are received for mounting an alarmdevice thereon and to serve as a maintenance channel. The center axis ofthe frame is now formed as a sleeve that is fit over the center axis ofthe tower like shaft interfaced by bearings and an energy conversionunit is provided on an outward extension section of the sleeve of theframe. Such a large-scale compressible fluid energy receiving devicecomprises blades that are rectangular area-variable blades. The interiorof each of the rectangular blades comprises a sail structure and anouter framework of the blade is a support structure that may contractand expand the sail.

The inventor has identifies a curve for the rail, in respect ofmathematic equation and proofs, which satisfies the above discussedrequirements. The mathematic proofs will be published in the article“Mathematics on a Windmill with Non-mechanical Control Pivoting Blades”of Journal of Tungnan University. In addition, the inventor also makesnumerical and graphic simulation on computers to verify that theoperation of the curved lotus of the basic mechanism according to thepresent invention is feasible and correct. Also, a prototype is alsocompleted for verification. The mathematic characteristics of the curvewill be described in the following and graphic simulation is provided inthe drawings.

This curve contains a family of curves, Tw, and each individual curveTw(r, s) contains two parameters, r and s. The parametric equation ofTw(r, s) is as follows:

x=(r+s/2)cos(t/3)cos(t)−(r−s/2)sin(t/3)sin(t)

y=(r+s/2)cos(t/3)sin(t)+(r−s/2)sin(t/3)cos(t)

where −(3/2)cos⁻¹(−s/4r)≦t≦(3/2)cos(−s/4r) and r is the radius of therotatable frame of the present invention, and more precisely, thedistance from the center axis of the frame to the center axis ofspinning of each blade; s is the width of the blade and more precisely,the distance between centers of left and right side rollers of theblade. The curve Tw(r, s) shows the following characteristics: having aradius r and being a circle O with the center located at the originalpoint. For a line segment S having a length s<2r, when the middle pointM of the line segment S is located on the circumference of the circle Oand an end of the line segment S is on the curve Tw(r, s), then a lineof incidence that is parallel to y axis generates a line of reflectionwith respect to the line segment S and a parallel vector of the line ofreflection is tangential to the circle at point M, see FIGS. 1 and 2.The curve Tw(r, s) has a shape similar to a cardioid of a polarcoordinate system that is a curve that is symmetric and has a tip. Thetip of the curve is located on the circumference and all the remainingpoints of the curve, other than the tip, are located outside the circle.In the present invention, the center of the circle O is the center axisof the mechanism and is also the revolution axis. The circle O is thetrack of revolution of the blades when the blades take the rotationalmotion and is also the lotus of revolution of the spinning axes of theblades when the blades revolve. The curve Tw is the recessed rail thatguides the spinning of the blades. The middle point M is the spinningaxis of the blade. The line segment S is the width of the blade and thetwo ends of the line segment S are respectively the centers of the leftand right side rollers of the blade.

The description of the present invention given herein is provided forthe purposes of illustration of the operation mechanism according to thepresent invention, not to explain complicated mathematic formula, sothat only the mathematic equation of the curve that defines the rail isshown herein. Some descriptions of the drawings will be given asfollows.

FIG. 1 shows the relationship among the curve Tw, the circumference ofthe rotatable frame, and the line segments of the blades. The shownTw(1, 1.46) represents the curve of rail. The circle O that has a centero and a radius equal to 1 represents a circumference 2 of a rotatableframe having a radius equal to 1. Each line segment represents a bladeline segment 3 having a width s=1.46. The middle point M of the linesegment S is located on the circle and an end being located on the curveTw. FIG. 1 illustrates the different locations of a blade taking aconstant-speed full-turn revolution about the revolution axis.

FIG. 2 shows a characteristics diagram of the curve Tw. Characteristicsof the curve Tw(1, 1.46) are illustrated. A line of incidence 4 that isparallel to y axis generates a line of reflection 5 with respect to theline segment S, providing a positive driving force to the circle. Theline segment S represents a blade and the circle indicates the lotus ofa spin axis of a blade revolving about the revolution axis. The forceacting on the blade causes positive direction rotation of the frame.Theoretically, during the rotation of the blades, there is no resistanceand the frame is driven by the maximum propelling force to rotate theframe. It can be seen from FIG. 2: the line segment S1 is perpendicularto the line of incidence, namely the blade receives the complete force.The line segment S4 is parallel to the line of incidence, namely theblade is parallel to the fluid and the fluid induces extremely smallresistance to the blade. The line segments S2, S6 forms an includedangle of 45 degrees with respect to the line of incidence, whereby theblades still keep an excellent action of force.

Then, it is illustrated the relationship and variation between the tworollers on the shoulders of the blade and the recessed rail in theprocess of rotation of the blades. The line segment S represents theblade. The line segment S has two ends respectively representing the tworollers on the shoulders of the blade. The curve Tw represents therecessed rail. It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the two ends of each ofthe line segments S4, S5 are on the curve Tw, namely the two rollers onthe shoulders of the blade are both on the rail. The line segment S3 hasan end that is just about to enter the curve Tw, namely another rolleron the shoulders of the blade is going into the rail. An end of the linesegment S6 is on the curve Tw and an end has already left the curve Tw,namely there is still one of the rollers kept on the rail. The linesegment S1 in operation is subjected to the variation through S2, S3,S4, S5, S6 to eventually return to the position of S1. The line segmentS1 is exactly turned over by 180 degrees. It can be seen from FIG. 2that the two rollers on the shoulders of each blade are such that atleast one of the rollers is always kept on the recessed rail. When theblade undergoes revolution, the two rollers alternately enter therecessed rail. At the moment when the two rollers interchangeably enterthe rail, the two rollers are simultaneously on the recessed rail.Mathematic proof and empirical test indicate that for a rail having aconfiguration of the curve Tw, a normal operation can be realized withthe two rollers being simultaneously on the rail.

FIG. 3 illustrates successive phases of a full-turn rotation of athree-blade frame. The process that when the blade that contains tworollers, a and b, take a full turn of revolution about a center axis,the two rollers, a and b, alternately enter the rail is illustrated. Inthe drawing, the frame has a radius r=1, a blade width s=1.8. The framerevolves in a constant speed for a full turn and computer simulation ismade to provide nine drawings of successive operation. Under theguidance of the rail, after a full turn of revolution, the blades returnto the original position, but the rollers, a and b, switch with eachother, and thus the blade makes a spin of 180 degrees about its ownaxis.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introductionto the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects ofthe present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detaileddescription of the invention and the claims should be read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specificationand drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similarparts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will becomemanifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to thedetailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which apreferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of thepresent invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates relationship among a curve Tw, a circumference of arotatable frame, and line segments representing blades.

FIG. 2 shows a characteristic diagram of the curve Tw.

FIG. 3 illustrates successive phases of a full-turn rotation of athree-blade frame.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the present invention for anapplication to receiving and converting energy of compressible fluidinto kinetic energy for generating of electrical power.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of converting rotational kinetic energyinto flow energy of fluid.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view illustrating an application of the presentinvention to a propeller of a boat.

FIG. 6 is a mechanism diagram of a fluid energy converter according tothe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a rotatable frame that carries blades.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the rotatable frame.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a rectangular blade that carries fourrollers.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a rim-like rack.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a back side of the rim-like rack.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a hollowed rim-like rack.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a dual-rim rack structure.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a symmetrically-arranged rotatable framestructure.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a rim rack to which air rudders aremounted.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a hollow shaft.

FIG. 16A is an enlarged view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 17 illustrates a rotatable frame mounted to a hollow shaft.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an area-adjustable rectangular blade.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a local structure of the area-adjustableblade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are notintended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the following description provides aconvenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of theinvention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made inthe function and arrangement of the elements described without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

To better explain the technical solution provided by the presentinvention, a detailed description will be given below with reference toembodiments of the present invention. The description given below,however, is provided only for illustration of a basic mechanism of thepresent invention and several modified embodiments thereof and thedescription should not be construed that the present invention islimited to such embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the present invention for anapplication to receiving and converting energy of compressible fluidinto kinetic energy for generating of electrical power. The presentinvention can also be used as an electrical power generation windmill orwater mill.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the present invention in which,opposite to generation of electrical power, rotational kinetic energy isconverted into flow energy of fluid. The present invention can be usedas a tool for propelling boats.

FIG. 6 is a mechanism diagram of a fluid energy converter 39 accordingto the present invention. The fluid energy converter 39 comprises: arack 6 that is configured similar to a wheel rim that is rotatable abouta fixed axis and an along-edge raised wall having a surface that isrecessed to form an open rail 7; and a rotatable frame 8 that carriesrectangular blades 9, each of which has an upper edge having oppositeends each carrying a roller 10 that is slidably received in the recessedrail 7 of the wheel rim. The rim-like rack 6 is arranged above therotatable frame 8 and they can rotate individually about a commonrevolution axis. FIG. 7 is a diagram of the rotatable frame 8 thatcarries the rectangular blades 9. The rotatable frame 8 comprisesmultiple pairs of blade support arms 11 that are of equal length and areconnected to a frame arbor 12 and are respectively arranged at upper andlower ends of the rotatable frame 8 in a uniformly distributed manner.Coupled between distal ends of the upper and lower blade support arms 11of each pair is a vertically arranged blade spin axle 13 of eachrectangular blade 9. The upper and lower blade support arms 11 arespaced from each other by such a distance that allows the rectangularblade 9 that is provided with rollers 10 to undertake spinning motion,which means herein a rotation about its own axis. When the rectangularblades 9 spins, the rollers 10 do not interfere with or collide theblade support arms 11. FIG. 6 illustrates the raised along-edge wall ofthe rim-like rack 6 exceeds the thickness of the blade support arms 11of the rotatable frame 8 and this defines a hollow chamber of therim-like rack 6 in which the blade support arms 11 of the rotatableframe 8 are accommodated. The raised along-edge wall of the rim-likerack 6 has a lower end surface forming the recessed rail 7 and the rail7 is recessed to such a depth that is sufficient to accommodate therollers 10 of the rectangular blades 9, whereby the rollers 10 of therectangular blades 9 are movable along the recessed rail 7 to cause therectangular blades 9 to spin about their own axes.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the rotatable frame, which is therotatable frame shown in FIG. 7. The upper and lower ones of each pairof blade support arms 11 of the rotatable frame 8 support between distalends thereof a blade spin axle 13 of the respective blade. The rotatableframe 8 has a radius r that is the horizontal distance between a centerof the frame arbor 12 and a center of the blade spin axle 13.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the rectangular blade 9 that carries four rollers10 and that is the rectangular blade 9 shown in FIG. 7. The rectangularblade 9 has upper and lower edges each having opposite ends eachcarrying a roller 10. The roller 10 is slidable within the recessed rail7 of the rim-like rack 6 for reducing resistance and noise. Dependingupon applications, the rectangular blade 9 can be made of variousmaterials, such as plate or a sail. The rectangular blade 9 has a centerline that in the embodiment illustrated coincides with the blade spinaxle 13. The blade spin axle 13 has a height that is substantially equalto the thickness of the blade support arms 11 (see FIG. 8) plusthickness of rollers, height of the rectangular blade 9, and a suitableamount of tolerance. The parameter s of the curve Tw(r, s) is thedistance between centers of left and right side rollers of the blade.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the rim-like rack 6, which is the rim-like rack6 shown in FIG. 6. The rim-like rack 6 has a raised along-edge wallhaving a surface that is recessed to form a recessed rail 7 forreceiving the rollers 10 of the rectangular blades 9 to slide in therecessed channel of the recessed rail 7 and to guide spinning of therectangular blades 9. The recessed rail 7 is a curve that is the curveTw(r, s) discussed above. FIG. 10 shows a dashed circle that indicatesthe position of the rotatable frame 8, namely the trace that the bladespin axles 13 (see FIG. 8) revolute about a fixed common revolutionaxis. The rim-like rack 6 forms a hollow chamber that has a depthsufficient to accommodate the upper circular frame portion of therotatable frame 8 (see FIG. 6). The rack has an arbor bore 14 that islocated at the center of the dashed circle, namely coincident with thearbor of the rotatable frame 8 (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the back side of the rim-like rack 6 thatis the back of the rim-like rack 6 shown in FIG. 10. The curve of therail of the rim-like rack 6 has an axis of symmetry and the rim-likerack 6 forms a flow direction mark 15 on the back thereof in a directionnormal to the symmetry axis of the rail curve to indicate an optimumflow direction of fluid, thus being named the “flow direction mark” 15.A tail vane or air rudder may be mounted at the location of the flowdirection mark 15.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a hollowed rim-like rack 6, which isformed by hollowing the rim-like rack 6 of FIG. 10. The rim-like rack 6used in the present invention can be suitably hollowed or not hollowedat all. Edges and corners of the rim-like rack 6 are preferably maderounded to reduce overall weight and the resistance of flowing fluid. Tosimplify the illustration of drawings, the rim-like rack 6 that formsthe rail is still shown with reference to the not-hollowed andnot-rounded structure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a dual-rim rack structure 38 that is thedual-rim rack shown in FIG. 5. A shell-like connection 16 is used toconnect and fix two symmetrically arranged rim-like racks 6. Therecessed rails 7 are arranged to face inward in a symmetric manner andthe shell-like connection 16 is mounted to sharp tips of the curves ofthe recessed rails 7 of the rim-like racks 6 to form the dual-rim rackstructure 38. The two rim-like racks 6 are spaced from each other by adistance that is sufficient to accommodate the rotatable frame 8 (seeFIG. 6) in such a way to allow the rollers 10 of the rectangular blades9 to be received and slide in the recessed rails 7.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a symmetrically-arranged rotatable framestructure, which is the symmetric rotatable frame 8 shown in FIG. 5 andis arranged in a dual-rim rack structure 38 shown in FIG. 13. The arbor12 of the rotatable frame is received through arbor holes 14 defined intwo ends of the dual-rim rack structure 38 (see FIG. 13). Such arotatable frame 8 shows the characteristics of balanced force action andimproves stability of the fluid energy converter 39 (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the present invention in whichrotational kinetic energy is converted into the flow energy of fluid.FIG. 5 shows a shell-like connection 16 that is made in the form of anup-side down tray (see FIG. 5A) and is located above the fluid energyconverter 39 (see FIG. 6). The flow direction mark 15 is automaticallyset in horizon. Mounted atop the shell-like connection 16 is a rotatingdevice 17, which controls the flow direction mark 15 to point to thedirection in which push is to be made. Under this condition, the presentinvention may serve as a propeller 19 of a boat 18.

The present invention is applicable to compressible fluids orincompressible fluids to convert rotational kinetic energy into theenergy of flowing fluid. However, under an opposite operation, thepresent invention may be used to convert flow energy of fluid intorotational kinetic energy

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a rim rack to which air rudders are mountedand which may serve as a rim-like rack 6 of energy conversion device 40for large-sized wind power generation shown in FIG. 4. The rim-like rack6 may comprises a single or multiple air rudders 20 and can be arim-like rack 6 for converting the flow energy of fluid into rotationalkinetic energy. The air rudders 20 are dragged by an inflow of fluid soas to cause the rim-like rack 6 rotating, aligning the flow directionmark of the rim-like rack 6 in a direction substantially parallel to theflow of fluid and providing the fluid energy converter 39 (see FIG. 6)with the optimum conversion efficiency.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a hollow shaft 21, which is a central shaftof the large-sized power generation energy conversion device 40 of FIG.4 and is a hollow shaft 21 mounted in an erected manner on a base 22.Wires 23 are received in the hollow space of the shaft. Mounted to thehollow shaft 21 are an alarm device 24, a rail brake device 25, and aframe brake device 26.

FIG. 17 illustrates a rotatable frame 8 mounted to a hollow shaft 21(see FIGS. 17 and 4), which are a hollow shaft 28 and a rotatable frame8 for the large-sized electrical power generation energy conversiondevice 40 of FIG. 4. The shaft of the rotatable frame 8 forms a sleeve27 that is fit over the hollow shaft 28 in a rotatable manner. Mountedto the sleeve 27 are an energy transmission unit 29 and a brake drum 30for maintenance of the large-sized electrical power generation energyconversion device 40.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention applicable tolarge-sized power generation. A rim-like rack 6 to which air rudders 20are mounted and a rotatable frame 8 that carries rectangular blades 9are mounted, in a rotatable manner, to the hollow shaft 28 in such a waythat rollers 10 mounted to opposite ends of an upper edge of each of therectangular blades 9 are slidably received in a recessed channel 7defined in the rim-like rack 6 (see FIG. 6) to thereby form thelarge-sized electrical power generation energy conversion device 40shown in FIG. 4. The present invention provides area-adjustablerectangular blade 9, which has an outer framework serving as a supportstructure for sail. Mounted inside the rectangular blade 9 is a sail, onwhich a plurality of uniformly spaced sail bars 36 are mounted, as shownin FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an area-adjustable rectangular blade 9,which is the rectangular blade 9 of the large-sized electrical powergeneration energy conversion device 40 shown in FIG. 4. The outerframework 31 of the blade have upper and lower edges made of C-shapedbeams 32 having opening facing inwards and left and right edges made ofH-shaped beams 33. Both the C-shaped beams 32 and H-shaped beams 33 haveopenings facing inward. The upper C-shaped beam 32 of the blade outerframework 31 comprises a pulley assembly 34 mounted to each of oppositeends thereof. The pulley assemblies 34 and ropes are provided forcontracting and expanding a sail 35, see FIG. 19. The lower C-shapedbeam 32 receives and fixes a lower edge of the sail. For the sailmounted inside the blade, each said bar 36 has two ends to which sailbar rollers 37 are respectively mounted and are respectively receivedinside the inner C-shaped openings of the left and right H-shaped beamsof the blade outer framework 31. The sail bar rollers 37 are slidably inthe inner C-shaped openings of the H-shaped beams without beingseparated therefrom. The inner sides of the left and right H-shapedbeams 33 of the outer framework receive therein the sail bar rollers 37at opposite ends of each sail bar 36 and the outer sides receive theropes of the pulley assemblies 34. The outer sides of the H-shaped beams33 may be provided with covers to protect the ropes and reduces theinfluence of winds. The ropes are tightened to the uppermost sail bar 36to pull the uppermost sail bar 36 and to move the underside sail bars 36through the sail. When the uppermost sail 36 is pulled to reach insidethe upper C-shaped beam 32 of the rectangular blade 9, the rectangularblade 9 shows the condition of having the greatest wind receiving areaand when it is moved to the location that is closest to the lower sailbar 36, the rectangular blade 9 shows the condition of having thesmallest wind receiving area.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together may also find a useful application in other types ofmethods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intendedto be limited to the details above, since it will be understood thatvarious omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the formsand details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spiritof the present invention.

1. A fluid energy converter, characterized by comprising: a rotatablerim rack having a U-shaped cross-section, the rim rack having a raisedalong-edge wall having a surface that is recessed to form a rail and arotatable frame; the rotatable frame carrying a plurality of blades, theblades being mounted in a rotatable manner to the rotatable frame, eachof the blades having an upper edge having opposite ends to which rollersare respectively mounted for sliding in the recessed rail of the rimrack; when fluid energy causes the blades to move, the movement of theblades drives the rotatable frame to rotate and generate kinetic energy;oppositely, rotational kinetic energy of the rotatable frame causes theblades to move and the movement of the blades causes motion of fluid;the recessed rail of the rim rack guides the blades to make the movementof the blades the most efficient.
 2. The fluid energy converteraccording to claim 1, characterized in that the rotatable framecomprises multiple pairs of support arms respectively arranged at upperand lower ends in a symmetric manner; distal ends of each pair ofsupport arms support a rotatable blade therebetween, the blade havingshoulders and feet to which rollers are mounted, whereby when the bladespins, the rollers of the blade are respectively sliding in the recessedrail formed in the raised portion of the rim rack; the rotatable framehaving an arbor having outward extensions to serve as an interface forexchange between the rotational kinetic energy of the rotatable frameand an external energy source.
 3. The fluid energy converter accordingto claim 2, characterized in that the recessed rail of the rim rack issuch that when the rotatable frame rotates, the recessed rail has anopening and the opening serves as an entry opening for the rollers whenthe blades spin; when the rotatable frame is rotated, the blades of therotatable frame are caused to spin, the two rollers of the blade inmotion are such that at least one of the rollers is kept on the recessedrails and the two rollers alternately enter the recessed rail; therollers of the feet and the rollers of the shoulder dog the same motion;the two rollers, when interchangeably entering the recessed rail, areboth kept on the recessed rail, when the rotatable frame rotates, underthe guidance of the recessed rail, the blade themselves spin in such away that when the blades revolve by a full turn about a center axis ofthe rotatable frame, the blades spin by half a turn, a revolution of 180degrees makes spinning of 90 degrees, and a revolution of 90 degreesmakes a spinning of 45 degrees.
 4. The fluid energy converter accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the recessed rail has a lotus that issymmetric and smooth curve having an axis of symmetry, a flow directionmark is formed on a surface of the rim rack in a direction perpendicularto the axis of symmetry for facilitating positioning or mounting an airrudder or a tail vane; when fluid enters in the direction of the flowdirection mark, an optimum action of force is provided for the blades ofthe frame; oppositely, by fixing the rim rack, when the rotatable framerotates, the blades drive fluid to flow with a primary flowing directionhaving a positive component consistent with the flow direction mark. 5.The fluid energy converter according to claim 4, characterized in thatan air rudder is mounted to the rim rack along the flow direction mark,flow of fluid driving rotation of the air rudder, making the flowdirection mark of the rim rack consistent with the direction of fluid.6. The fluid energy converter according to claim 1, characterized inthat upper and lower sides of the rotatable frame both have a rim rackhaving a recessed rail mounted thereto; the upper and lower rim racksare completely symmetric and synchronously rotatable to form a dual-rimrack structure having two rim racks; shoulders and feet have rollersmounted thereto, the recessed rail of the rim rack is such that when therotatable frame rotates, the recessed rail has an opening, the openingserving as an entry opening for the rollers when the blades spin; whenthe rotatable frame is rotated, the blades of the rotatable frame arecaused to spin with the rotation of the rotatable frame, the two rollersof the blade in movement are such that at least one of the rollers iskept on the recessed rail and the two rollers alternately enter therecessed rail; the rollers of the feet and the rollers of the shouldersdo the same motion; the two rollers, when interchangeably entering therail, are both kept on the recessed rail, when the rotatable framerotates, under the guidance of the recessed rail, the blade themselvesspin in such a way that when the blades revolves by a full turn about acenter axis, the blades spin by half a turn, a revolution of 180 degreesmakes spinning of 90 degrees, and a revolution of 90 degrees makes aspinning of 45 degrees, the two rollers symmetrically slide in therecessed rails of the upper and lower rim racks; the dual-rim rackstructure is composed of two parallel and symmetric rim racks and a linkor shell connecting between portions of the two rim racks close to theopenings of the recessed rails to ensure synchronization and symmetry ofthe two rim racks for bearing strong fluid motion.
 7. The fluid energyconverter according to claim 6, characterized in that the rim rack has asurface on which a flow direction mark is formed to facilitatepositioning or mounting an air rudder or a tail vane, a bearing supportis mounted outside a center point of the shell that connects the two rimracks of the dual-rim rack structure to control the rotation of thedual-rim rack structure so as to have the direction of the flowdirection mark of the rim rack pointing to the direction in which thefluid is driven to flow.
 8. The fluid energy converter according toclaim 7, characterized in that the shell connecting the two rim racks ofthe dual-rim rack structure forms an upside down tray, the tray locatedsimultaneously outside of the dual-rim rack structure at a locationclose to the opening of the recessed rail; to control the dual-rim rackstructure to rotate, the flow direction mark is set in a direction ofhorizon and the tray is set above the dual-rim rack structure; tocontrol the dual-rim rack structure to rotate, the flow direction markis set in a direction of horizon and pointing toward the direction alongwhich push is to be made, the tray being full of air therein to therebyserve as an efficient propeller for sailing on an incompressible fluid.9. The fluid energy converter according to claim 5, characterized inthat to perform a job of receiving energy of compressible fluid in alarge scale, the fluid energy converter has a center axis that isdivided into a vertically fixed hollow shaft, the hollow shaft receivingwires therein to have an alarm device mounted to an upper end thereofand forming a maintenance channel, the hollow shaft is such that anupper end thereof comprises a thrust bearing that bears the weight ofthe rim rack and a rack brake device that controls the rail mountedthereto; the hollow shaft has a lower end that comprises a thrustbearing that bears the weight of the frame, a frame brake device thatcontrols the frame, and an energy conversion control chamber; therotatable frame has a center axis that forms a sleeve, the sleeve beingfit over the fixed axis with bearings as interface, the outwardextensions of the arbor of the frame arbor being also a sleevecomprising an energy conversion unit, a brake drum, and thrust bearing.10. The fluid energy converter according to claim 9, characterized inthat the blades comprise area-adjustable blades; interior of therectangular blade is constructed as a contractible/expandable sailstructure, an outer framework of the blade being a support to thecontractible/expandable sail structure; a lower edge of the sail isfixed to a lower support of the outer framework of the blade, the sailbeing supported by a plurality of horizontal sail bars, ascending anddescending of an uppermost horizontal sail bar determines contractionand expansion of the sail; the outer framework of the said comprises aC-shaped channel structure, the C-shaped channel having an openingfacing inward; each horizontal said bar of the sail has two ends towhich support rollers are respectively mounted, the support rollersmounted to the ends of each horizontal sail bar being received in theC-shaped channel of the blade outer framework, whereby the horizontalsail bars slide between two side supports of the blade for ascending anddescending without detachment; the rectangular blade has a lower edgeand contact surface of the rotatable frame.